Awning-operating mechanism



(No Model.)

T. J. DANIELS. AWNING OPERATING MBGHANISM.

Patented Sept. 24, 1895.

Fig. 4:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

lTHOMAS J. DANIF-Ls, oF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

AWNlNG-OPERATING;MECHANISNI.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 546,730, dated September 24, 1895.

Application led February 12, 1895. .i Serial No. 538,114; (No model.)

To LZ/ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. DANIELS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Awning- Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates to improvements made in mechanism for raising and lowering window-awnings, consisting mainly of an upright rod geared at the upper end intothe winding-shaft or windlass of the awning and at the lower end connectedby bevel-gears to a hand-crank; and my improvements comprise a certain novel construction and combination of a safety catch or lock and means by which the same is operated or thrown into and out of action automatically when the hand-crank is connected and detached.

The following description explains the nature of the said improvements and the manner in which I have constructed and applied the same for operation, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l represents in longitudinal section a construction, of mechanism and parts embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the box or covering as seen from the left-hand side of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents the hand-crank. Fig. 4 represents in transverse section the partsof the mechanism removed from the box. Fig. 5 is a top View of the part which I have termed the lockingpiece. Figs. 6 and 6a represent a modification in which the use of a push-pin is dispensed with, Fig. 6 being a longitudinal section and Fig. 6a a view of the end of the square crankshaft.

A indicates the upright shaft or rod of an awning-operating mechanism, and B a bevelgear fixed on its lower end.

C is asimilar gear meshing with the gear B and having a hub on the back, in which is a socket C3 for a handcrank D.

The mechanism that is commonly employed to connect the upper end of the shaft A. with the awning-roller is not shown and need not be particularly described, as my present im provements pertain only to the operating mechanism-situated at the lower end of the shaft. The usual way of connecting this operating-shaft to the awning-roller is by bevelgears. The gear B is furnished with a socket bx on the back to take the end of the shaft A, and on the opposite side the gear has a stud or short spindle h2, for which a socket E is provided in a xed bearing-block E.

Gis a cast-iron box or casing of suitable size and form to contain and cover the gears and other parts. It is provided with ears Gr on the backat top ,and bottom, having holes forv screws, by which it is fastened against a dat perpendicular surface, such as the face of a wall. Usually the back of the box is left open, as it will be closed sufficiently to protect the parts within when it is screwed against the wall. Ink the top of the box a hole g is provided for the shaft A, and in the front a bearing Gr2 for thehub C of the upright gear. At the last-mentioned point the thickness of the metal on the front face of the box and the hub C is made of suitable length to set into the bearing and project about flush with the front face of the box. To the bottom of the box inside is fixed by screws ff thebearingblock E, beneath the foot of the shaft A, and directly behind the gear C. In this part is provided also a bearing fora st-'ud or short spindle C2 on the back of the gear C.

H is a detent or locking-piece, formed with several teeth H on the upper end, that are fitted to engage and set into the teeth of the horizontal gear, and provided on the lower end with knuckles h2 h2, by which it is attached to a knuckle E2 on the back end of the bearing-block bya hinge-pin I. On the sides spring could be appliedeither to the upright arm of the part H or to its hinge to produce the same result; but for severalV reasons the weights H will be found a better substitute for a spring, particularly where the mechanism is set for operation in positions exposed IOO to the weather and in cold climates. The safest and most desirable form of catch or lock for the purpose is a locking-piece of this character. In connection with this lockingpieee I provide means for throwing it out of action and for holding it away from the gear when the hand-crank D is attached, so that the shaft A may be turned in either direction by means of the crank. This means consists of a push-pin L, fitted loosely in a socket or long bearing in the block E and also in the hub C of the gear C, and of suitable length, besides, to extend through the spindle C2 of the gear at the front, and set in close relation to the piece II immediately behind or on the opposite side of the bearing-block. The shaft D of the hand-crank is square in crosssection and is the same size as the socket,

inthe end of the hub, and it is of such length,

also, that when inserted into the socket itl pushes back the locking-piece II clear of the L. As long as the crank remains so connected to the gear the lock II is held out of action, but as soon as the crank is taken away the lock is released and drops forward again into engagement with the gear. The length of the push-pin L, which is practically a continuation of the square shaft of the hand-crank when that part is set in the socket of the gear C, is governed and regulated by the length of the shaft before mentioned, and it will be obvious that by extending the square socket C3 clear through the gear and making the shaft of the crank of sufficient length the push-pin could be dispensed with and the locking part II be operated by direct contact of the end of the square shaft with that part. Iieation is shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The locking part II could be arranged to hold the gear B by engaging with the hub instead of taking into the teeth, but the general result will be the same. This construction is particularly adapted for outdoor use and in situations where the mechanism is within reach of mischievous persons, as the parts are so cov- This modi-4 ered and concealed by the inclosing box that the locking device cannot easily be tampered with. In addition to this the construction has the advantage of giving the operator the use of both hands to work the crank,for the lock is thrown olf or on automatically by the act of inserting or removing the hand-crank.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination,of a vertically-set bevel-gear provided with a hub in which is a socket for the shaft of a hand-crank, a horizontally set bevel-gear engaging said gear, a pivoted locking piece weighted on one side of the line of its pivot and adapted thereby to engage and lock one of said gears, a hand crank having a square-shaft which is insertin ble into and removable from the socket of the hub and acts by contact with the said locking-piece to throw it back and hold it out of operation,and a box having bearings for said gears and inclosing all the said parts, substantially as described.

2. In an awning-operating mechanisln,the combination in an inclosingbox, of the bevelgears in continual engagement, the fixed bearing-block having bearings for said gears, the pivoted locking-piece located on the side of the bearing-block opposite to the vertical gear, a hub on the vertical gear extending through the inclosing-box to the outside and provided with a square socket, a hand-crank having a square shaft to lit the socket in the vertical gear and adapted by insertion in the said socket to press back the lockingpeee and hold it out of action and means, as a weight, applied to the locking-piece to throw it into the gear when rcieased, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

THOMAS J. DANIELS.

Vitnesses:

EDWARD E. OsBonN, \V. II. II. WHITE. 

